Ataka Barrier Site Ataka no Seki

"You'd have to be a pretty serious fan of Japanese legendary history to find this monument worth a look, but the statues are impressive enough. This site is reputed to be the location of a border/tax gate set up to control the flow of people going north, and is the legendary setting for an episode in 1187 that's been immortalized in kabuki plays and Akira Kurosawa movies (although, supposedly, the real barrier gate has long since been swallowed up by the encroaching sea, but whatever -- nobody really cares about details like that nowadays!)

Like many sites, it's worth a stop if you're passing by, but unless you already know the story or have some other reason for going here, it's unlikely you'll be impressed..."

John Ebert

"There's a beautiful pine forest along the coast near Komatsu Airport. It seems quite large, and I felt a similar atmosphere to Kehi no Matsubara.

This is the checkpoint featured in the kabuki play "Kanjincho," in which Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Benkei, from the late Heian period, somehow pass through thanks to the kindness of the barrier guard, Togashi.

The three bronze statues lined up at the site of the checkpoint are worth seeing.

The story of Kanjincho goes roughly like this:
↓
Pursued by his brother, Minamoto no Yoritomo, Minamoto no Yoshitsune disguises himself as a mountain ascetic and flees to Hiraizumi in Oshu. On his way, he is spotted by the barrier guard, Togashi, at Ataka Barrier.

Benkei excuses himself by claiming to be collecting donations (kanjin) for the reconstruction of Todaiji Temple, and recites a false Kanjincho using a scroll he happens to have with him.
In response, Togashi was impressed by Benkei's false fundraising letter and allowed him to pass, but when Yoshitsune, dressed as a mountain ascetic, tried to pass through the barrier, his subordinates raised the suspicion that he might be Yoshitsune. 
Benkei realized that his lord, Yoshitsune, was being suspected, and to clear the suspicion, he immediately struck Yoshitsune with his kongo staff. 
Moved by Benkei's loyalty, Togashi decided that if Benkei was the kind of person who would strike his lord, he could not be Yoshitsune. He then planned to let Yoshitsune and his entourage go, and while Benkei was dancing, Yoshitsune and his entourage were able to pass through Ataka Barrier safely."

Taka Shigeru

"Great place
There is a pavilion on the beach, a good place to sit and rest in the sun
The shrine also has amulets that are only available here
There is a crepe shop nearby, but it happened to be closed on Monday 🥲
I went there on 7/7 and there was also the Tanabata Festival
The park is green and great"

Guanju Chen